Pandora (Avatar)

Pandora is a natural satellite of the gas giant Polyphemus, which orbits Alpha Centauri A in the fictional universe of Avatar. Due to the atmospheric composition containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, humans are unable to safely breathe on the moon, requiring the use of breathing equipment or avatars. The moon harbours vast natural resources, with untouched ecosystems spanning the surface, lacking all traces of technology. These natural resources include unobtainium, a type of "thundering rock", dubbed "lingtskxe" in Na'vi ("ling" from "floating" and "skxe" for "rock"), and a superconductor that is worth millions per kilogram. This large quantity of unobtainium causes chunks of land to be ripped from the ground, creating magnetically aligned "skyborne icebergs" of rock. The moon has expansive landscapes, the rainforests in particular home to alien cycads, ferns and "zooplantae" (lifeforms that are scientifically placed between plants and animals), such as "helicoradian", that respond by physically withdrawing when touched. Populated by multiple species, the Na'vi, species such as direhorses, thanators and the intelligent Tulkun, and plants all share a larger spiritual connection with Pandora itself, through a god known as Eywa. These connections are described in the movies as being more advanced than the human brain. Known as "The Great Mother", Eywa hosts memories of all beings who live on the moon, including those who have passed on. Using a neural queue (also known as a "kuru") located in their hair, the Na'vi can connect to Eywa at locations of sacred importance, such as the "Tree of Souls". There are multiple known Na'vi clans, these consisting of the Anurai, Aranahe, Hulanta, Hyuticaya, Kame'tire, Kekukan, Li'ona, Mangkwan, Metkayina, Ni'awve, Olangi, Omatikaya, Rey'tanu, Sarentu, Tawkami, Tayrangi, Tipani, Tla'lim, Tomac'ta and Zeswa. The Omatikaya live in a large tree, known natively as "Kelutral", and to humans as "Hometree". This tree served as the home of the clan and was a significant part of the clans specific culture and identity. Unlike Earth, where species, for example mammals, are quadrupeds, those found on Pandora are primarily six-legged due to the moon's low gravity and high atmospheric density combination. To be able to accumulate traction, species evolved a third pair of limbs. A real-world comparison being the Mars rovers, which use six-wheel platforms instead of four. Similarly to having multiple pairs of limbs, Pandoran animals, with the exception of Na'vi and their evolutionary link prolemuris, has antennae and two pairs of eyes. Lifeforms of Pandora, including both plants and animals, are bioluminescent. Some species of plants light up when interacted with. The single celled Earth lifeform dinoflagellates, that briefly glow when agitated, are used as the foundation for the concept. Water found in the oceans and rivers also glow when experiencing physical motion. == Development ==

, the creator of Pandora and the Avatar franchise, in 2009 at San Diego Comic-Con An 80-page screenplay was originally developed by James Cameron for Avatar and its fictional universe in 1994. Upon analysing the planets within the universe of Star Wars, such as Tatooine and Dagobah, Cameron "figured that's not how complex worlds work", referring to Earth specifically. At the age of nineteen, Cameron dreamt of a "bioluminescent forest" with trees resembling "fibre-optic lamps". A glowing bioluminescent river was also present in the dream. These among other visions of flying lizards resembling frisbees and purple moss, led Cameron to begin drawing the world and wildlife of Pandora. Cameron applied his time observing underwater coral reef ecosystems and deep marine life whilst submarining into the first draft of Pandora. According to designer Neville Page, early on Cameron wanted the designs for Pandoran species to be "super-slick and aerodynamic, like a racecar with racing stripes". Working with Page and fellow designer Wayne Barlowe, Cameron found it difficult to match the design he was hoping for with what was being realised. Page noted that racecars themselves were styled after animal features such as turtle shells or insects, meaning Cameron's vision was circular. The planet was named after the first woman created by the Greek God Hephaestus, under the influence of Zeus. The woman, named Pandora, overwhelmed by curiosity, opened a forbidden box, releasing a plague upon the planet. This box became known as Pandora's box. Stan Winston Studio was hired in 2005, by which time multiple artists such as Jordu Schell had contributed hundreds of pencil concepts to Cameron's team. The earliest design for Neytiri, originally named Zuleika, is traceable back to 1978 in the original Xenogenesis pilot, where an image of a blue woman can be observed. Schell initially began working on 3D models of Neytiri, but switched to maquettes at Cameron's request, eventually producing fifteen until a finalised version materialised. Cameron was inspired by the facial appearance of Q’orianka Kilcher, whilst Schell had images of ethnic women including Mary J. Blige. Once Cameron had approved the general design of Neytiri and the Na'vi, artists from Stan Winston Studio led by John Rosengrant began transforming them using Photoshop, applying skin texture with stripes and patterns featuring bioluminescence, prioritising organic looking flesh over artificial. A similar process was followed for creatures such as the viperwolf, direhorse and banshee, with Cameron approving a drawing, followed by Photoshop rendering and finally 3D sculpturing with ZBrush. The Huangshan Mountains in the Anhui Province of China were remodelled for Pandora by Cameron, who said they "had to simply re-create them in outer space." Locals identified the models created by Cameron were actually not the Huangshan mountains due to them being formations of granite, and were instead the Zhangjiajie pillars. Designers Dylan Cole, Steve Messing and their production team visited the mountains for photography during the initial creation of Avatar. The Zhangjiajie pillars were eventually used as the basis for the Hallelujah Mountains on Pandora. The mountains on Pandora are seen to float, the explanation being that superconductors float when in the presence of a magnetic field, with Pandora acting as a powerful superconductor due to the large amount of unobtainium beneath the surface, allowing the mountains to float as they do. The Hawaiian tropical rainforests of Kauai was another area that Cameron visited alongside cast members for experience, camping, cooking using underground fire pits and learning to traverse through areas that would appear very similar in the films. Areas such as Kalalau and Nā Pali were used as the inspiration for the rainforests and landscapes of Pandora, with non-CGI scenes filmed at Wailua. == Appearances ==

Film ==== Avatar (2009) ==== Set in 2154, Avatar opens with the Resource Development Administration (RDA) on Pandora, a natural satellite of the gas giant Polyphemus which orbits Alpha Centauri A. A native species called the Na'vi (a blue, cat-like humanoid and intelligent species) occupy the moon and have a peaceful, strong connection with Pandora itself, and are against the presence of humans. Using genetically engineered Na'vi bodies, humans working for the RDA, including Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), attempt to ingratiate themself with the natives in an attempt to eventually convince them to leave their Hometree (the sacred home of the Omatikaya tribe), Protagonist Jake Sully is seen bonding with the apex predator Great Leonopteryx after the destruction of Hometree, earning himself the title of Toruk Makto. The atmosphere of Pandora is not breathable to humans, however almost all natural structures and organisms of Pandora's ecosystem resemble those on Earth. ==== Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) ==== Humans return to Pandora years after the conclusion of the first movie, with the oceans of Pandora becoming the primary setting. The movie introduces the Tulkun, an aquatic human-level intelligent and pacifistic species, with them also having an independently evolved language, emotions and spirituality. The Tulkun become a target of the RDA due to a yellow substance called "Amrita", which is produced by the species' brain. Amrita, when extracted after the death of a Tulkun, stops aging in humans, making the substance very valuable as a result. A new ocean tribe known as the Metkayina allow the family of Jake Sully to integrate into their way of life, with the tribe themself inhabiting an island with a coral reef. Species in the coral reefs and atolls of Earth have equivalents on Pandora, these including amalgams of Earth species including pufferfish and lionfish. Extinct Earth species such as plesiosaurs also have Pandora equivalents in the ilu. Other species such as skimwings resemble Earth's gar and flying fish, whilst Tulkuns are most similar to whales. ==== Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) ==== This film introduces the volcano-dwelling Mangkwan tribe, and the Tlalim clan, also known as the Sky traders, who travel on blimp-jellyfish creatures called Medusoid. It is shown that Pandora has the ability to adapt biology, specifically that of Spider in the film, so that species that would never normally be able to breathe on Pandora, are subsequently able to. It is believed that a fungus allowed for this biological change, with further changes showing the growth of a Na'vi specific "kuru" (a neural connection located within Na'vi hair that gives the ability to communicate with other species), along with psychic visions. In The Way of Water, Kiri experiences epileptic symptoms, described in the film as frontal lobe impairment, when connecting with a spiritual tree. Kiri's family reveal to her that she is the "literal child of Eywa", being an immaculate conception of Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) from the first movie. Kiri connects to the underwater spirit tree of the Metkayina tribe, and unlocks the power of Eywa, directing the Pandoran ecosystem to attack the hostile RDA and Mangkwan alliance. Video games ==== Avatar: The Game (2009) ==== Developed and published by Ubisoft in 2009, Avatar: The Game takes place on Pandora, with a story that mirrors the 2009 film, except with a character named Ryder taking the place of Jake Sully as the main protagonist. Dependent on choices the player makes throughout the story, different locations on Pandora can be seen in the game. The game gives the player access to large explorable regions on the moon, with areas featuring jungles, waterfalls, with a very heavy dark green centred colour palette. Choosing RDA options exposes the player to "monstrous" plants that can spit poisonous fumes and attack with leaf swipes. Writing for Gamereactor, Jonas Elfving described Pandora as "lush, magical and fascinating from the get-go", though reasoned that whilst exploration of the moon was a "pleasant experience", some of the nature was "menacing", such as plants that consume limbs. ==== Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (2023) ==== Developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft in 2023, Frontiers of Pandora places players in the role of a young Na'vi who has to navigate an unfamiliar world. The game takes place in a previously unseen area of Pandora known as the "Western Frontier". Western Frontier is split into the Clouded Forest (an area that can only be reached by ikran and home to the Kame'tire clan), Kinglor Forest (a rainforest home to the Aranahe clan, who harvest silk from a moth creature known as Kinglor) with an estimated total explorable area size of 255km². Game map structure shares similarities with Far Cry 6 (2021), with an exploration mode that provides hints as a toggleable option over traditional POI markers. == Other appearances ==

and Neytiri in the foreground on the surface of Pandora, with Polyphemus in the background Graphic novels On Free Comic Book Day in 2017, Dark Horse Comics published an Avatar story, written by Sherri L. Smith, with art by Doug Wheatley, telling the story of the moment Jake Sully connects with the Great Leonopteryx during the first Avatar movie. • '''''Avatar: Tsu'tey's Path (2019)': Written by Sherri L. Smith and published by Dark Horse Comics, ''Tsu'tey's Path'' tells the story of Omatikaya clan leader-in-training, Tsu'tey. The book takes place on Pandora concurrently to the first Avatar movie. • Avatar: The Next Shadow (2021): Written by Jeremy Barlow and published by Dark Horse Comics, with illustrations by Josh Good and Gui Balbi, The Next Shadow returns to Pandora following the events Avatar and the destruction of Hometree. The novel tells the story of Jake Sully's immediate role as the new Omatikaya clan leader and the threat he faces in the face of a coup. • Avatar: Adapt or Die (2022): Written by Corinna Bechko and published by Dark Horse Comics, with illustrations by Beni R. Lobel and colouring from Wes Dzioba, Adapt or Die serves as a prequel to the first Avatar movie, focusing on Dr. Grace Augustine and Mo'at's fight to find a cure for an illness affecting Na'vi children, upon visiting an RDA base. Augustine hopes to open a school for the children with the aim of improving relations between the Na'vi and humanity. The book takes place in the jungles of Pandora and reintroduces the Tawkami clan, who first appeared in the Nintendo DS version of Avatar: The Game (2009). Originally written by James Cameron and intended as a direct sequel to the first Avatar movie, it was eventually scrapped due to Cameron and Jon Landau deciding it was not a good fit for a second movie, despite being "a hell of a read", according to Cameron. Set just before The Way of Water, The High Ground takes place on Pandora and primarily focuses on Jake and Neytiri's children. The novels were released together as Avatar: Tales from Pandora Omnibus in 2025. Stage shows ==== Toruk – The First Flight (2015-19) ==== In 2016, a theatrical adaptation of Avatar named Toruk – The First Flight written by Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon, with production by Cirque du Soleil, began premiering at venues such as the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The story, set approximately 3000 years before the events of the first Avatar movie, focuses on two Na'vi children of the Omatikaya clan, Both Ralu and Entu undertake a coming-of-age ritual, which Ralu passes and Entu fails. A prophecy is foretold that lava will destroy the Tree of Souls (a tree used by Na'vi to connect to Eywa). The production used large puppets designed by Patrick Martel, controlled by puppeteers, with Toruk the largest, weighing 112 kilograms and measuring twelve metres wide. Cirque du Soleil were given creative freedom, Pandora's bioluminescence was adapted for the stage by costume designer Kym Barrett, who incorporated glow-in-the-dark bodysuits and makeup, which worked in tandem with the purple and turquoise floor lights to create a complete experience comparable to the films. A critic writing for IRecommend.ru felt that Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia was not suitable due to perceived boredom from younger children and a lack of space. An interactive downloadable phone application that gave instructions to signed-up audience members also failed to function early on during a performance. Despite these drawbacks, they described the lighting and special effects as "magical", with metamorphoses "impressive" and "the world of Pandora" providing greater interest "than the performers." The O2 Arena in London served as the final venue before the show finished touring indefinitely in 2019. With so much going on, the Luzhniki critic found "it hard to tell who to watch", citing the most memorable moments being "tightrope walkers on Palulukan's skeleton, the giant flowers, the collective attempt to put out the fire, and one of the characters' interactions with a tree." with construction, headed by Disney Imagineer designer Joe Rohde, commencing in 2014. Notable rides include the Avatar Flight of Passage, a three dimensionalAR flying simulator that positions riders atop a bike, which is a mountain banshee (a Pandoran flying predator) in the simulator, flying across Pandora's biomes. The ride includes stimuli such as wind, water and "earthy" scents. Another is the Na'vi River Journey, a dark ride where people travel by boat down the fictional Kasvapan River, which is located within a bioluminescent rainforest. The ride includes physical recreations of foliage and twirling fan lizards, with predators such as viperwolves instead projected. An audio-animatronic known as the "Shaman of Song" concludes the ride. To create reactive bioluminescence, the park uses motion sensors which facilitates in lighting up foliage as guests pass by. Food and drink sold at the park is Pandoran themed, an example being the "Night Blossom" boba sold at the Pongu Pongu (Na'vi for Party Party) drinks stand. The drink contains limeade, apple and pear flavourings with passion fruit bobs balls, and a thematic pink and green colouring. The Varrey of Mo'ara, which features the floating mountains were created for the park by "stacking" large rocks on top of one another. Using steel rods and a forced perspective to create the illusion that the rocks are floating, the tallest of these measures 156 feet high. Both Wen-Chen and Mekado Murphy of The New York Times lauded the cascading waterfalls of the floating mountains. The mountain rock was distinguished as being carved out by over sixty artists, whilst being "surrounded by various Pandora-specific plants and rocks" == Real life counterparts ==

Astronomer Lisa Kaltenegger of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics said in 2009 that moons orbiting gas giants, such as in the Alpha Centauri A system were plausibly able to be found with the use of the James Webb Space Telescope. Water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and methane were named as the elements required to identify moons with compositions similar to Pandora and Earth. NASA Exoplanet Science Institute executive director Charles A. Beichman later discovered a gas giant orbiting Alpha Centauri A in 2025 through the James Webb Space Telescope, concluding that it "probably" had moons. The gas giant was likened to Polyphemus, the gas giant that Pandora orbits, in Avatar. The gas giant is an exoplanet candidate. == Notes ==